Kalundborg municipality

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Map of the future municipality

Kalundborg municipality is a municipality (Danish, kommune) in West Zealand County on the west coast of the island of Zealand (Sjælland) in Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 130,20 km², and has a total population of 20.191 (2005). Its mayor is Tommy Dinesen, a member of the Socialist People's Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) political party.

The main town and the site of its municipal council is the city of Kalundborg.

Neighboring municipalities are Gørlev, Hvidebæk, and Bjergsted to the east. Because Kalundborg is on the coast and has two peninsulas which jut out— Røsnæs to the north and Asnæs to the south, separated by Kalundborg Fjord)— it is surrounded by water on three sides:

Samsø Bælt— the strait which separates the municipality from the island of Samsø— and Sejrø Bay (Sejrø Bugt) — the bay in which the island of Sejrø is located) to the north
The Great Belt (Storebælt)— the strait which separates Zealand from the island of Funen) and the Kattegat to the west
Jammerland Bay (Jammerland Bugt) to the south.

The municipalities of Samsø to the northwest, and Juelsminde on the Jutland peninsula to the west are thus also Kalundborg's municipal neighbors, albeit separated by water.

Ferry lines connect the municipality to Aarhus on the Jutland peninsula, and to the island of Samsø at the central harbour in Kalundborg. The harbour is conveniently located near to the Kalundborg train station, which connects to the cities of Holbæk and Copenhagen. A large industrial zone, including a South Harbout, is located south of the town's central area.

By January 1, 2007 Kalundborg municipality will, as the result of Kommunalreformen ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007), be merged with existing Gørlev, Hvidebæk, Bjergsted, and Høng municipalities to form the new Kalundborg municipality. This will create a municipality with an area of 598 km² and a total population of 48,697 (2005). The new municipality will belong to the new Region Sjælland ("Zealand Region").

[edit] Attractions

The tip of Røsnæs peninsula is the westernmost point on the island of Zealand. On the northern side of the peninsula is the Skanse Forest (Skanseskoven) which has a rich birdlife. During the spring and autumn it is visited by many migrating birds.

Stately Lerchenborg Castle, the traditional seat of the aristocratic Lerche family, is located on the forest-covered Asnæs peninsula. It is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Denmark. The home and gardens are open to the public, but is closed during 2005 for restoration. A number of special arrangements take place at the castle during the year, including a Christmas market, music concerts and car shows. The castle was built in 1747 by General Lerche-Lerchenborg. In the southern side wing is a room dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen who was guest in 1862.

The municipality also encompasses a large body of water near its northern coast— Saltbæk Cove (Saltbæk Vig), which is one of the largest lakes in West Zealand and a bird reservation. Nearby to the south is a public beach.

Our Lady Church (Vor Frue Kirke), erected ca. 1170, is located in the center of Kalundborg city's old quarter called Højbyen ("The High City"). It is a beautiful and unique, five-spired church which is believed to have been built by Esbern Snare. It is closely associated with King Valdemar I and the famous Archbishop Absalon. The city center has cobblestone streets, narrow streets, and well-preserved half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages.